riches of the Gentiles? For, if the casting away of the Jews be the reconciling of those Gentiles, who early received the faith of Christ; what will be the receiving of the converted Jews into the pale of the Christian church, but life from the dead to those Gentiles, who as yet have remained in an unconverted state?"

Now, unless we suppose this to be the argument of the apostle, we shall find it no easy matter to comprehend the drift and object of his reasoning. The conversion of the Jews is described as being much more eminently beneficial to the great collective body of the Gentiles, than the conversion of those Gentiles who in the apostolick age had embraced Christianity: that is to say, the Gentiles collectively are represented as being much more benefited by the yet future conversion of the Jews, than they were by that partial conversion of certain members only of their own body which has hitherto taken place. A great benefit, no doubt, was conferred upon the Gentiles, even by a partial admission into the church; for St. Paul styles this benefit the riches of the Gentiles, and the reconciling of the world: but then he contends, that an infinitely greater benefit, a benefit which he celebrates as life from the dead, will be conferred upon them by the receiving of the Jews. Yet how can this be possible on any other ground, than that the converted Jews are destined to convert the mighty multitude of the yet unconverted Gentiles? How, on any other interpretation, will the apostle's argument, plainly an argument from the less to the greater, stand good? Let us thus understand St. Paul, and the whole will be clear and luminous, and strictly conclusive but, if we suppose him to mean something else than the future conversion of the Gentile world by the previously converted Jews, we shall find ourselves obliged to view him as making the strangely incongruous assertion, that, however great a benefit to the Gentiles was their own partial conversion in the apostolick age, yet the naked and insulated conversion of the Jews, with which they have no special concern beyond the mere general satisfaction springing from simple philanthropick good-will, must needs be an infinitely greater benefit to the whole collective mass of the Gentiles. Who, I may ask, does not at once perceive the incongruity of such an assertion? We Gentiles may doubtless rejoice, even abstractedly and disinterestedly, at the bare circumstance of the conversion of the Jews; that is to say, we may rejoice at it even on the supposition that the benefit of their conversion began and ended with themselves: but it is not in human nature, nay, it is contrary to plain common sense, that we should be so marvellously and so outrageously disinterested, as to deem the conversion of the Jews a much greater benefit to us than our own conversion.

Thus necessary is it to the conclusiveness of St. Paul's argument, that he should be understood as reasoning from the anciently predicted circumstance of the conversion of the Gentiles by the previously converted Jews.*

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

* See my Connected View of the Prophecies relative to the Restoration of Judah and Israel, Proph. xvii. xxvii. xxxiv. xxxviii. xxxix. xliii.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.

A MUCH respected friend has favoured me with the perusal of a number of letters addressed to him by his daughter, now, we trust, rejoicing in glory among "the saints in light." Having obtained his permission, I send you some extracts, which, I doubt not, will be thought worthy of a place in the Gospel Advocate. I am persuaded that their genuine and elevated piety will render them acceptable to every Christian, and their ardent expressions of social and filial affection excite a lively interest in every virtuous mind.

This amiable lady was born in Charleston, S. C. October 20, 1790, and received the best education and accomplishments which our schools afford. Her own sentiments on this subject are worthy of preservation, as an evidence of her gratitude for a father's care.

In a letter to her father, she says: "These frequent communications between us; these interchanges of thoughts, wishes, and feelings, are so sweet and consolatory in our separation, that I must gratefully bless the tender, and much loved parent,* who bestowed on me a good education. Yes, my dear father, your- will ever bless you, for every refined, or enlightened feeling of her heart or mind. have not only provided me with resources of pleasure within myself, but, should Providence intrust a family to my care, you have enabled me to be useful to those who compose it." She married a gentleman in one of the western states, to whose place of residence she removed. Thus separated, by a distance of some hundred miles, from the home of her infant years, and from the church in which she was brought up, she found her principal consolation in corresponding with her father. To him she opened the treasures of her heart, and revealed her religious opinions. To him she declared her humble resignation to the divine will; and her confidence in the atoning blood of the Saviour, for acceptance at the throne of grace. Her piety and humility were the consequence of her sense of duty to God, and not of the fear of approaching dissolution. She was beloved by all who knew her, and had nothing to mar her happiness but her separation from her native home. She was in the prime of life, of a heathful, though delicate constitution, which, however, excited no suspicion that she was so rapidly descending into the dark valley of the shadow of death. But the ways of God are inscrutable. "Clouds and darkness are round about him; although righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his seat." When danger was least apprehended, she was attacked with a pulmonary complaint. This gradually increased, and she returned to her native city, where she died, December 15, 1818, in the 29th year of her age, in communion with the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Under this severe dispensation of Providence, we can better conceive, than describe, the feelings of her afflicted, affectionate father.

4

* Her mother was not living when this letter was written.

GOSPEL ADVOCATE, VOL. III.

He was, however, in some measure, consoled for his loss, by the reasonable conviction, that "for her to die, was gain." Her letters now became of inestimable value to his peace. They were a cordial to his mind, and a balm to his heart. When he recalled to mind her pious life, and her devotedness to God, his feelings became calm, and his resignation sincere. When he felt conscious that there were reasonable grounds for believing that her spirit was happy in the eternal world; that she was now 66 following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth," a beam of happiness illumined his troubled heart. I have seen bim struggling against the common feelings of our nature, wiping the manly tear from his eye, and endeavouring to suppress the anguish of his bereaved affections. Not a murmur, however, escaped his lips. It was the Lord who had given him the blessing: it was the Lord who had taken it away. The will of God was accomplished, and he bowed submissively to his wisdom. But the melancholy separation awak. ened new feelings in his bosom. He resolved to devote himself more earnestly to the religion which his daughter had adorned, and to prepare himself for meeting her, to part no more, in "another, and a better world." He now saw the power of that religion, which, alone, can disarm death of his terrours, and snatch victory even from the grave. He witnessed its power in assuaging the anguish of the last scenes of life; and in making the bed of his expiring child the couch of peace, of hope, and of joy in the Holy Ghost. He saw that there were no terrours for the dying Christian; no cause of sorrow to her surrounding friends. They mourn not for their loss, as those without hope; for, in a few short years, or months, or days, they know that they will meet again.

The first paper, which I shall transcribe, was written in the year 1812, and contains the pious and just reflections of this amiable woman, on the subject of her first communion. It is as follows.

66

Being convinced of my own insufficiency to work out my salvation; that of myself I am not able to do any thing, it is my desire to renew and ratify my baptismal covenant with Almighty God, and seek the assistance of his Holy Spirit to enable me to become a true disciple of his beloved Son Jesus Christ; through whom alone cometh salvation.

"I believe that his precious blood was shed for the remission of sins; that he rose again for our justification, and ever liveth to make intercession for us' with the Father. He instituted this holy ordinance in commemoration of his sufferings and death upon the cross, saying to his disciples, 'Do this in remembrance of me;' which command it is my inclination, as well as duty, to obey. I am aware, that the garments with which we ought to adorn ourselves, when we go to the Lord's table, are, Repentance, Faith, Love, Gratitude, Charity, Humility, Sincerity. These requisites, I hope, I possess in such a measure, as to make me endeavour earnestly to seek the favour of God, and fix my affections on things above.

"I have been prevented from joining the church at an earlier period, from the fear that I was not yet sufficiently worthy, and should

not be able to persevere in leading a pious and godly life. But I find it was an erroneous opinion. It was relying upon my own works, and not on the merits of our Saviour; who has promised that all who repent and believe shall find pardon and acceptance with God, through him; and who assures us, that his grace is sufficient for us.'

"Thus, I desire to serve the Lord, waiting upon him in faith, trusting in him for support under every trial and temptation, and strength to persevere unto the end."

The following letter was written after her marriage and removal from Charleston, when she had become the happy mother of a promising infant. The deep solicitude expressed for the eternal interests of her family, must awaken the feelings of all sleeping, nominal Christians, who, in words, confess the Redeemer, but in works, deny, or neglect him. This letter is dated, August 2, 1817. Speaking of the feelings produced by her separation from her father, she continues:

"But God is able to make that for good, which to us, is a great evil and distress. And I humbly look to him, to sanctify this trial to us both, for the sake of our Redeemer, that it may make us more fit for his heavenly kingdom. This is the only consolation my mind offers to my agitated feelings, whenever I dwell upon this subject. And I most anxiously hope that the time will arrive, when my dear husband also will not be so entirely engrossed with earthly concerns, but will earnestly seek an interest, through our condescending Mediator, in that world, where time will be forgotten in the endless ages of eternity. Having this near at heart, and feeling anxious that if my should live, she shall be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,' and be educated for heaven, as well as for earth, I am as it were, bound to this life, with the strongest cords of attachment. And shall I name another wish, my beloved parent, equally near my heart, without offending you? Yes. I know that you love me too well to be offended, even if my anxious solicitude for your happiness should make me speak more freely, than you think a child should. Let me say, then, this other wish is, to see my excellent father gradually break off from all such worldly business, as does not relate to family concerns, or connected-with its welfare, and take sufficient time, to examine the New, with the Old Testament, and so satisfy his own mind of the truth of a Saviour, and of the necessity of professing him openly in the world, by going to his table. To see you go to that table, (for I know that you would go in full belief of, and reliance upon, the merits of our blessed Lord,) is a circumstance which lies nearer to my heart than you can ever know. Many an hour, in the dead of the night, has it engaged my most anxious feelings, and called forth the tear and the prayer; for, indeed, my dear father, I do truly think, that if it were possible for a man's own merits, to gain him a seat in heaven, you would certainly have a claim to one. But as God has pronounced all our works of righteousness to be unprofitable, and nothing, unless offered in the belief, and in the name of his dear Son, I feel truly anxious, that nothing should be left undone, to secure your everlasting happiness.

May I hope that you will receive these lines with your usual affection, and think not that I presume too much upon your love. But remember, that I tell you this, that although I have professed my Saviour openly at his table, yet I feel that I am not one thousandth part as worthy to be his disciple, as you, who do not profess him. But at the same time, he has said, 'except a man believe in me, he shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.' God of all mercies, and the blessed Redeemer of our souls, grant, that whenever the awful (and to your family the heart rending) moment arrives, for you to quit this life, your spirit may wing its flight, and be welcomed into the abodes of everlasting bliss; into the presence and smiles of an approving God and Saviour."

The prayer of a righteous man availeth much, says St. James. Then how much more must the prayer of a pious child prevail when she implores for blessings upon a parent's head! A gracious Providence granted the heart's desire of this pious woman. Her father, always amiable and excellent as a man, was now to become exemplary as a Christian. He believed. He repented. And with love and gratiude in his heart towards God, and with charity to his neighbour, he prostrated his soul and his body at the altar of his Lord, and confessed Him crucified for the sins of the world. O, what a moment of bliss for this excellent woman, this eminently pious Christian! And how delightful must be her feelings at the judgment of the great day to know that God was graciously pleased to make her instrumental in snatching a father, as a brand from the burning,' and leading him to the foot of the cross. But her letter must speak for itself. It is

6

dated December 6 and 8, 1817.

"How can I tell you, my beloved and honoured father, the delightful sensations of joy and gratitude which thrilled through my heart, when I read your communication of the 14th November. O !impossible. I read it over and over again, rejoicing and weeping, and inwardly praising that blessed God, who hath done such great things for you. O! it is so sweet to offer my humble and poor offerings of thanksgiving for happiness bestowed upon a parent, so justly the object of my affection and gratitude. Tomorrow, we will unite in heart, in blessing our benevolent Creator, that He hath chosen you out of the world, to be one of his dear children in Christ Jesus, our merciful Redeemer. Never can I forget your letter of the 14th November! Never shall the 7th of December be obliterated from my memory! a day so precious to us both; for I glory in your pious determination to profess publickly your faith in our Lord and Saviour, and at the foot of the altar, entering into covenant with God, to be his faithful and true disciple, the remainder of your life. O! that I could enjoy the happiness of kneeling beside you, at such an interesting moment. But I am not, indeed, worthy of such a favour. I am thankful, however, that you have made known to me your intention in time, so that I can be at the throne of grace, and my sincere, though unworthy, petitions ascend at the same time, and mingle with those of my beloved father. "But, my dear parent, you tell me that, which renders my joy un